FirstGroup has announced the acquisition of Bristol-based Eagle Coaches, a move which forms part of the former’s plans to grow First Bus’s diversified coach portfolio and expand its current operational footprint.
A long-established family coach operator based in Bristol; Eagle Coaches was first founded in 1926, and operates a fleet of 19 vehicles with 28 people working from its depot on Netham Road in St George, Bristol.
All employees will continue to work for the business under its new ownership, and all services, contracts and bookings will remain unchanged.
Josh Ball, Director at Eagle Coaches, said:Eagle Coaches has been proudly serving customers in Bristol and the surrounding region for generations, building a strong reputation for quality, reliability and personal service. We must take this opportunity to thank our father Adrian for devoting 54 years to the business, who will now take well-earned retirement.
Joining First Bus marks an exciting new chapter for our business. It allows us to protect what makes Eagle Coaches special, while benefiting from the scale, investment and expertise of a national operator.
Most importantly, it provides reassurance for our customers, colleagues and partners that the business has a strong future and opportunities to continue growing across the region.
FirstGroup has acquired a number of coach-based operators over the last few years, including Anderson Travel, Hills Coaches, J&B Travel, Lakeside Group, Matthews Coaches, Tetley’s Coaches and York Pullman.
Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director for First Bus Business and Coach, said:This acquisition supports our ambition to grow a strong, diversified coach portfolio while expanding our operational footprint in key markets.
Eagle Coaches is a highly regarded family business with deep roots in Bristol, a loyal customer base and an experienced team delivering high-quality coach services across the region.
We’re delighted to welcome the Eagle Coaches team into the FirstGroup coach portfolio and look forward to supporting the business as it continues to develop while maintaining the standards and local identity it is known for.
